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I just looked them up, and would never have guessed that there are 73 active IOOF lodges in the state of Indiana.
Me neither! Wow, that’s a lot.
My father and uncle would never miss a meeting back in Rochester. It was an important part of their lives.
My grandparents were Elks. We visited Elks lodges everywhere we went. This kind of thing really was a big deal until about 30-40 years ago.
I look at all those, no doubt, unreinforced masonry buildings and think earthquake. Luckily, Indiana could be considered safe, not 100%, from earthquakes. After Loma Prieta I can still picture a three story unreinforced masonnry building (there still were some old ones), on the corner of 18th Ave. and Clement, drop all it’s bricks onto the sidewalk and street. Just three blocks from where I lived at 21st Ave. in San Francisco.
We have earthquakes here — one hits our state somewhere every year or two. I’ve felt a couple. But they’re always very light. It’s not impossible that we could have one that causes destruction, but it would be a once in a millennium occurrence.
My parents were members of the Oddfellows here in New Zealand when I was young. The building in our town was a simple wooden hall, I am not sure if it is still there!
I’m not sure I realized that the Odd Fellows was worldwide!
An interesting organisation, founded in Manchester, UK in 1810. The US lodge split away in 1842, I think they are found in most English speaking democracies!!!
I remember lodges were a big deal when I was growing up in the 60’s. We went to a camping place that the Odd Fellows had in Southern Illinois. One of my uncles was a member. The building that they used burned down a few years ago. I guess our generation isn’t that much into lodges.
I can’t imagine joining a group like the Odd Fellows or the Elks or the Eagles. But my grandparents definitely could, and did.
Seeing this title and knowing that Greensburg has two IOOF buildings, I foolishly assumed that 25% of your post would come from there. I was sure surprised to see that not even 12.5% were.
I’ve never photographed a Greensburg IOOF building! I photograph them when I come upon them, but I don’t go looking for them.
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